Popular materials are written at a level that can be read and understood by the general population. Popular materials may be written by authors who do not have specific expertise or training in the topic discussed, and the materials are often published quickly.
Scholarly materials are written at an academic level and present the findings of scholarly research. These materials often go through a "peer review process" which validates the author(s) research methods and conclusions. To determine if an item would be considered scholarly, look for the following characteristics:
Length: The article is usually several pages long, and can be more than 20 pages.
Author(s): The article will always list an author or group of authors. Affiliations and credentials are often listed for each.
Audience: The intended audience includes students, researchers, and experts in the field
Refereed: Research is reviewed by peer prior to being accepted for publication
Illustrations: The article may include maps, tables, and graphs the support the text. Colorful photographs are rarely used.
References: The article will always included citations to research discussed throughout the article in the form of footnotes, end notes, and bibliographies.
Language: The article will be written using vocabulary used in the author's field or discipline.
Format: The article will follow a standard format.
Yes: Search an appropriate database by developing a search strategy using relevant keywords or phrases
No: Browse electronic and print periodicals in the library's collection and find an article that you're interested in
Do you have a specific source you need to locate?
Yes: Search an appropriate database using specific fields based on the known information
No: Browse among a variety of materials
Browse for sports / exercise science periodicals in the library's print collection:
Come into the library and flip through periodicals and browse for articles on interesting topics. The library subscribes to the following sports / exercise science-related journals:
ACSM's Health and Fitness Journal
Journal of Aging and Physical Activity
Journal of Applied Biomechanics
Journal of Physical Activity and Health
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
Strength and Conditioning Journal
Browse for electronic sports / exercise science journals:
Browse for electronic journals online using the "Electronic Journal Portal":
Popular vs. Scholarly
Popular materials are written at a level that can be read and understood by the general population. Popular materials may be written by authors who do not have specific expertise or training in the topic discussed, and the materials are often published quickly.Scholarly materials are written at an academic level and present the findings of scholarly research. These materials often go through a "peer review process" which validates the author(s) research methods and conclusions. To determine if an item would be considered scholarly, look for the following characteristics:
- Length: The article is usually several pages long, and can be more than 20 pages.
- Author(s): The article will always list an author or group of authors. Affiliations and credentials are often listed for each.
- Audience: The intended audience includes students, researchers, and experts in the field
- Refereed: Research is reviewed by peer prior to being accepted for publication
- Illustrations: The article may include maps, tables, and graphs the support the text. Colorful photographs are rarely used.
- References: The article will always included citations to research discussed throughout the article in the form of footnotes, end notes, and bibliographies.
- Language: The article will be written using vocabulary used in the author's field or discipline.
- Format: The article will follow a standard format.
Handout: Distinguishing Scholarly from Non-Scholarly PublicationsBrowsing vs. Searching
Browse for sports / exercise science periodicals in the library's print collection:
Come into the library and flip through periodicals and browse for articles on interesting topics. The library subscribes to the following sports / exercise science-related journals:Browse for electronic sports / exercise science journals:
Browse for electronic journals online using the "Electronic Journal Portal":- Go to the Wayne College Library website:
- Under “Search and Find” click on “E-Journal Portal”
- Under “Browse e-journals by subject” choose “Health and Biological Sciences”
- Under the “Medicine” category, select "Sports Medicine"
- Browse the titles and select the database that indexes the journal you want
- Browse the electronic journal or use the search features of the database to locate specific topics
View a tutorial: Browse for Sports & Exercise Journals (COMING SOON!)Search for articles using SPORTDiscus with Full Text
Searching for a specific topic in sports? Start out searching the SPORTDiscus database.Need more exercise science research ideas?
Check out the Exercise Science Technology pathfinder.Need help? During the library's normal operating hours you can stop by, call, text message, or chat with the library staff live: